Work desk for stock pickers

ABSTRACT

Work desk for use on lifting equipment including a vertical back wall member. One side wall member is connected adjacent a back side thereof to a first edge of the back wall member along a first height thereof. Another side wall member is connected adjacent a back side thereof to a second edge of such back wall member. Side wall members being triangular shaped with the back side thereof having a shortest length. A slanted member provides a work surface for such work desk and is connected to adjacent upper edges of each of the back wall member and pair of side wall members. A mechanism either disposed on an outer surface of the back wall member for enabling it to be one of hung on and supported by an upright member, or hung on and supported by such lifting equipment. A ledge portion is disposed adjacent a lower surface of such slanted member for providing a stop surface.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application is closely related to and claims priority fromProvisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/707,223 filed Aug. 11, 2005.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to recording information and,more particularly, this invention relates to a work desk for use onlifting equipment by persons responsible for at least one of placing andremoving preselected articles to and from, respectively, storage shelvesin order to record information for at least one of inventory control andfreight counting wherein such work desk provides a convenient place forstorage of papers, pens, pencils, paper and labels and for provides ahard surface on which to write.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Prior to the conception and development of the present invention,persons responsible for placing and/or removing preselected articlesfrom storage bins, shelves and the like could not easily recordimportant information with respect to such articles while still on alift truck, for example, because there was not a convenient place tocarry the necessary materials or to have a surface on which to supportpaper to write on.

This inconvenience is not only aggravating to the worker when they muststop and go to a place to record the required information but it is alsocostly for the employer by virtue of the productive time lost. Such timeloss is for both labor and equipment.

Another disadvantage to this is that when a worker must wait to recordthis information there is a greater chance that some information may beforgotten.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides, in a first embodiment, a work desk foruse on lifting equipment by persons responsible for at least one ofplacing and removing preselected articles to and from, respectively,storage shelves. Such work desk provides a needed and convenient placefor storage of paper, pens, pencils and labels. Additionally, the workdesk provides a relatively hard surface on which to write. The work deskincludes a substantially vertically disposed back member. Such backmember exhibiting each of a first predetermined length, a firstpredetermined height and a first predetermined thickness. There is apair of substantially vertically disposed side members. A first one ofsuch pair of side members is connected adjacent a back side thereof to afirst edge of such back member along the first predetermined heightthereof. A second one of the pair of side members is connected adjacenta back side thereof to a second edge of such back member also along suchfirst predetermined height thereof. Each of the pair of side members issubstantially triangular shape with the back side thereof having theshortest length. A slanted member having each of a second predeterminedlength, a second predetermined height and a second predeterminedthickness is connected to adjacent upper edges of each of such backmember and such pair of side members. This slanted member provides thework surface for such work desk. At least one means at least one ofdisposed on an outer surface of such back member for enabling the workdesk to be one of hung on and supported by a preselected upright memberhaving at least one substantially horizontally disposed surfaceengageable by said means and to be hung on and supported by such liftingequipment. Finally, there is a ledge portion disposed adjacent a lowersurface of such slanted member for providing a stop surface for at leastone of a piece of paper, a pen and pencil.

In a second embodiment, the present invention provides in combinationwith a stock picker the improvement comprising a work desk incorporatedthereon.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention toprovide a work desk for mounting on predetermined equipment which willenable an equipment operator to be more efficient in recording necessaryinformation selected from inventory numbers, part numbers, stockinglocations, bin numbers, etc.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a work desk foruse on lifting equipment which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a work deskfor use on lifting equipment which can be produced from a variety ofmaterials.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a work deskfor use on lifting equipment can store needed items on the liftingequipment which can be readily accessed as required.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a work desk foruse on lifting equipment is relatively light weight.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a work deskfor use on lifting equipment which can be easily stored when not in use.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a workdesk for use on lifting equipment which is easy to use.

In addition to the several objects and advantages of the presentinvention which have been described with some degree of specificityabove it should be noted that various additional objects and advantagesof the invention will become more readily apparent to those personsskilled in the relevant art from the following more detaileddescription, particularly, when such description is taken in conjunctionwith the attached drawing figures and with the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a presently preferred embodimentof the work desk produced according to the invention and also showing apresently preferred piece of equipment such work desk can be used with,such piece of equipment being illustrated on a piece of paper on thework desk;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the work desk illustrated in FIG.1;

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the work desk illustrated in FIGS.1 and 2 showing the work desk hanging on a wire mesh type grid; and

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the work desk illustrated in FIGS.1-3 showing the work desk hanging on a wire mesh type grid.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND VARIOUS ALTERNATIVEEMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Prior to proceeding to the more detailed description of the presentinvention it should be noted that identical components which haveidentical functions have been identified with identified with identicalreference numerals through the several views illustrated in the drawingfigures for the sake of clarity and understanding.

Now refer, more particularly, to FIGS. 1-4. Illustrated therein is awork desk, generally designated 10, for use on a piece of liftingequipment, generally designated 100, by persons responsible for at leastone of placing and removing preselected articles (not shown) to andfrom, respectively, storage bins (not shown) and shelves (not shown).

Such work desk 10 provides a convenient place for storage of paper 12,pens (not shown), pencils (not shown) and labels (not shown).Additionally, such work desk 10 provides a substantially flat hardsurface 14 for supporting paper 12 which is to be written on. Such workdesk 10 includes a generally rectangular and substantially verticallydisposed back wall member 16 having each of a first predeterminedlength, a predetermined height and a first predetermined thickness.

There is a pair of substantially vertically disposed side wall members18 and 20 provided. A first one 18 of such pair of side wall members 18and 20 is connected adjacent a back side thereof to a first edge of suchback wall member 16 along the predetermined height thereof. A second one20 of such pair of side wall members 18 and 20 is connected adjacent aback side thereof to a second edge of the back wall member 16 along suchpredetermined height thereof. Each of the pair of side wall members 18and 20 is substantially triangular shaped with such back side thereofhaving a shortest length.

A generally rectangular slanted member 22 carrying such flat hardsurface 14 for supporting such paper 12 to be written thereon has eachof a second predetermined length, a predetermined width and a secondpredetermined thickness and is connected to adjacent upper edges of eachof such back wall member 16 and such pair of side wall members 18 and20. The slanted member 22 provides the hard work surface 14 of such workdesk 10.

There is at least one means, generally designated 30, disposed on anouter surface 24 of such back wall member 16 and closely adjacent anupper surface thereof for enabling said work desk 10 to be at least oneof hung on and supported by a preselected upright member 26 having atleast one substantially horizontally disposed surface 32 engageable bysuch means 30 and to be hung on and supported by such lifting equipment100.

A ledge portion 26 is disposed adjacent a lower edge of such slantedmember 22 for providing a stop surface 28 for at least one of a piece ofpaper 12, a pen and pencil.

In a presently preferred embodiment of the invention such work desk 10will further include at least one clip type means, generally designated40, disposed on such flat hard surface 14 for retaining paper 12 inplace during use.

Additionally, in the presently preferred embodiment of the invention,such work desk 10 will include at least a pair of hanger means 30disposed on the outer surface 24 of such back wall member 16 forenabling work desk 10 to be one of hung on and supported by thepreselected upright member 26 having at least one substantiallyhorizontally disposed surface 32 engageable by the pair of hanger means30 and to be hung on and supported by such lifting equipment 100.

It is presently preferred that such first predetermined length of theback wall member 16 and the second predetermined length of the slantedmember 22 will be substantially identical and that the firstpredetermined thickness of such back wall member 16 and such secondpredetermined thickness of such slanted member 22 will also besubstantially identical. Further, it is preferable that thepredetermined height of such back wall member 16 and such shortestlength of the pair of side wall members 18 and 20 are substantiallyidentical.

Each of such back wall member 16, the pair of side wall members 18 and20, the slanted member 22 and the ledge portion 26 are formed from anidentical material which is preferably plastic.

It is further presently preferred that slanted member 22 and ledgeportion 26 are formed as a single piece component.

The preselected upright member 36 having the at least one substantiallyhorizontally disposed surface 32 engageable by the pair of hanger means30 is a wire mesh type member.

The present invention further contemplates a combination of a piece oflifting equipment 100 used by persons responsible for at least one ofplacing and removing preselected articles to and from, respectively,storage shelves with the improvement comprising a work desk 10 toprovide a convenient place for storage of paper, pens, pencils andlabels and to provide a substantially flat hard surface on which towrite. Such piece of lifting equipment 100 is preferably a stock picker.In this embodiment the hanger means 30 is a hook shaped device formedfrom at least one of metal and plastic wherein the metal is selectedfrom aluminum and steel.

While in accordance with the patent statutes both a presently preferredand a number of alternative embodiments of the invention have beendescribed above in such a full, clear and concise manner so as to enableanyone skilled in the relevant art to which it pertains to make and usethe same, it should be understood that various alterations and othermodifications to the invention can be made without departing from eitherthe spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

1. A work desk for use on lifting equipment by persons responsible forat least one of placing and removing preselected articles to and from,respectively, storage shelves, said work desk providing a convenientplace for storage of paper, pens, pencils and labels and for providing asubstantially flat hard surface on which to write, said work deskcomprising: (a) a generally rectangular substantially verticallydisposed back wall member having each of a first predetermined length, apredetermined height and a first predetermined thickness; (b) a pair ofsubstantially vertically disposed side wall members, a first one of saidpair of side wall members connected adjacent a back side thereof to afirst edge of said back wall member along said predetermined heightthereof, a second one of said pair of side wall members connectedadjacent a back side thereof to a second edge of said back wall memberalong said predetermined height thereof, each of said pair of side wallmembers being substantially triangular shape with said back side thereofhaving a shortest length; (c) a generally rectangular slanted memberhaving each of a second predetermined length, a predetermined width anda second predetermined thickness connected to adjacent upper edges ofeach of said back wall member and said pair of side wall members, saidslanted member providing a substantially flat work surface for said workdesk; (d) at least one hanger means disposed on an outer surface of saidback wall member for enabling said work desk to be one of hung on andsupported by a preselected upright member having at least onesubstantially horizontally disposed surface engageable by said hangermeans and to be hung on and supported by such lifting equipment; and (e)a ledge portion disposed adjacent a lower surface of said slanted memberfor providing a stop surface for at least one of a piece of paper, a penand pencil.
 2. A work desk, according to claim 1, wherein said work deskfurther includes at least one clip type means disposed on said flat hardsurface for retaining said paper in place during use.
 3. A work desk,according to claim 1, wherein said work desk includes a pair of hangermeans disposed on said outer surface of said back wall member forenabling said work desk to be one of hung on and supported by saidpreselected upright member having at least one substantiallyhorizontally disposed surface engageable by said pair of hanger meansand to be hung on and supported by such lifting equipment.
 4. A workdesk, according to claim 1, wherein said first predetermined length andsaid second predetermined length are substantially identical.
 5. A workdesk, according to claim 1, wherein said first predetermined thicknessand said second predetermined thickness are substantially identical. 6.A work desk, according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined height ofsaid back wall member and said shortest length of said pair of side wallmembers are substantially identical.
 7. A work desk, according to claim1, wherein each of said back wall member, said pair of side wallmembers, said slanted member and said ledge portion are formed from anidentical material.
 8. A work desk, according to claim 7, wherein saideach of said back wall member, said pair of side wall members, saidslanted member and said ledge portion are formed from plastic.
 9. A workdesk, according to claim 8, wherein said slanted member and said ledgeportion are formed as a single piece component.
 10. A work desk,according to claim 8, wherein said preselected upright member havingsaid at least one substantially horizontally disposed surface engageableby said pair of hanger means is a wire mesh type member.
 11. Incombination with a piece of lifting equipment used by personsresponsible for at least one of placing and removing preselectedarticles to and from, respectively, storage shelves, the improvementcomprising a work desk to provide a convenient place for storage ofpaper, pens, pencils and labels and to provide a substantially flat hardsurface on which to write, said work desk including: (a) a generallyrectangular substantially vertically disposed back wall member havingeach of a first predetermined length, a predetermined height and a firstpredetermined thickness; (b) a pair of substantially vertically disposedside wall members, a first one of said pair of side wall membersconnected adjacent a back side thereof to a first edge of said back wallmember along said predetermined height thereof, a second one of saidpair of side wall members connected adjacent a back side thereof to asecond edge of said back wall member along said predetermined heightthereof, each of said pair of side wall members being substantiallytriangular shape with said back side thereof having a shortest length;(c) a generally rectangular slanted member having each of a secondpredetermined length, a predetermined width and a second predeterminedthickness connected to adjacent upper edges of each of said back wallmember and said pair of side wall members, said slanted member providinga substantially flat work surface for said work desk; (d) at least onehanger means disposed on an outer surface of said back wall member forenabling said work desk to be one of hung on and supported by saidlifting equipment; and (e) a ledge portion disposed adjacent a lowersurface of said slanted member for providing a stop surface for at leastone of a piece of paper, a pen and pencil.
 12. The combination,according to claim 11, wherein said piece of lifting equipment is astock picker.
 13. The combination, according to claim 11, wherein saidhanger means is a hook shaped device.
 14. The combination, according toclaim 11, wherein said hanger means is formed from at least one of metaland plastic.
 15. The combination, according to claim 14, wherein saidmetal is selected from aluminum and steel.